Shirley McGlinchey, Hawera, QSM, for services to the community
Mrs Shirley McGlinchey provides support for sufferers of dementia and their carers as a field worker for Alzheimers Taranaki and as a registered nurse at the Trinity Rest Home and Hospital Dementia Wing in Hawera. She facilitates the South Taranaki Carer Support Group, and organises regular social meetings and an Alzheimer’s newsletter through this group. She supports the spouses and carers charged with looking after affected family members to ensure their peace of mind and organises relief care to allow them to take time off. She devotes a significant amount of time outside of her working hours to the organisation of meetings and to respond to carers’ needs. Mrs McGlinchey helps manage the National Alzheimer’s Appeal Day for the Taranaki branch of Alzheimers New Zealand.